The beaches are the reason to go to Varadero. The sand is very white, the water turquoise & very warm, and the sky is impossibly blue. The beaches are kept very clean. Varadero is a narrow penninsula. The resorts are about 1/2 an hour away from the airport.

The town itself is small, with a mix of well kept and crumbling buildings. Tourism is the main economy, though it is clear that the economy of the country is struggling, with the lack of goods even in the tourist areas.

There isn’t much else to do, other than the typical all-inclusive activities (dancing, learning spanish, beach volleyball) although the tour company we went with had trips to Havana and a jeep safari.

Pics of Che Guevera, and revolutionary slogans are everywhere (outside the resort).